DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 78-year-old male who was told at least eight years ago at a diabetic seminar to start using Equal in my coffee instead of sugar. I became ill in January of this year with dizziness, weakness and loss of balance. One night I fell and couldn’t get up. My wife phoned for the ambulance to take me to the hospital where I remained for a week.

Later I saw my family doctor who sent me to two specialists who could not help me. Then I read the letter in your column from the lady whose mother had identical problems. After discontinuing taking aspartame she became her old self again. I subsequently found aspartame is now in Equal. I stopped taking it three weeks ago and now feel wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

DEAR READER:
Frankly, I have been amazed at the number of my readers who have had unpleasant reactions to aspartame. The sugar substitute can cause a wide range of medical problems, including life-threatening reactions.

I would feel more comfortable — as I’m sure you would — by eliminating any product that contains aspartame and substituting pure fructose, FruitSweet or similar products instead. Better still, drink that coffee black. You’ll be amazed how quickly you come to enjoy the true taste of tea, coffee, or other products to which you previously added sweeteners.